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During our 5 week stay on Griomasaigh, in the Western Isles ( between North- and South Uist ) to do some painting and photographing we visited almost all of the islands. Never wanted to leave either... But, well, you know....One weekend we drove down the whole of South Uist and ferried on to the Isle of Barra. On a Sunday drive we drove around the island and over to the next island Vatersay. This is what we found by the roadside...

This aircraft was assigned to 302 Flying Training Unit, then operating from RAF Oban (flying boat base).On the evening of the crash, the Catalina took off from Oban on the west coast of Scotland, fully loaded and with depth charges under each wing. The aircraft was on a night training exercise with a complement of nine persons, including the pilot and co-pilot.The intended course was via Barra Head. However, the aircraft was flying well off-course, and was no longer above the sea, as the pilot believed. Realising the navigational error, the pilot endeavoured to gain height. However, when he had reached about 213m (700ft), the Catalina—which, by now, was over higher ground—crashed into the side of Heishavel Beag on Vatersay.

Of the nine personnel on board, three were killed and the remaining six were injured. Those who died were:Flt Sgt David Clyne, Captain, Sgt R. (Fred) Basset, Wireless OP-AG, Sgt Patrick Hine, Rigger (mechanic)-AG.Apparently the aircraft wreck was towed down the slope to the side of the road where many parts and the engineswere salvaged - the rest of the airframe rests there to this day.